Illuminated sign



Jan. 13', 1931. ElSENBERG 1,788,427

ILLUMINATED S IGN Filed March '7, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 13, 1931; IEIASENBERG 1,788,427

ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed March '7, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES PAUL EISENIBERG, OF BALTIMORE, MiAlR-YLAND ILLUMiNATED sren Application and larch 7,

The invention relates to a sign of the type which is internally illuminated, the letters and figures composing the sign being produced by the transmission of the light rays through a screen which may be a moving belt or the sign itself, the same being partly opaque and partly permeable to the light. The sign which is the subject of the invention contains the important improvement as compared to the prior art, first, that it comprises a fixed sign and a moving sign of the type just defined, both of which are illuminatedfrom a single source of light, and second, the movable sign may be produced in light of varying colors, the vfixed sign being preferably produce in white light.

The invention also comprises various improvements as to detail and arrangement which will more fully appear in the description and drawings. i

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a sign embodying the features ofmy invention in the preferred form.

'In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the sign shown to a reduced scale in operation.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2, 2, of F ig ure 1 shown on a larger scale.

Figure 3 is an elevation looking from the right in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the sign assembled but having the stationary sign plate broken away to show the internal arrangement.

Figure 5 shows the internal removable frame holding the mirror, the light transmitting belt or screen, the motor and the color screen with the cooperating parts, the frame being removed from thecasing. g

Figure 6 is a detail view of a fragment of the moving sign or screen belt in which the letters composing the moving sign are formed. 1

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, each of which is used to indicate the same or similar parts in the different figures, the construction shown comprises an external box or casing 1, in which are mounted the lights or lightingbulbs 2, shown as depending from 1930. SeriaI No. 433.909. 7

the top of the box and directly in front of these lights suitably mounted in an opening on the-wall of the box at the front isa stationary sign, screen or plate 3 of the light transmitting or stencil ty e, the letters and other figures 4 to be exhi ited comprising transparent or light transmitting portions of the screen or plate, the remainder of which, indicated by reference character 5 is opaque.

The, other operative portions of the sign not so far described, are carried'by or contained in a removable frame 7, which includes the bottom 8 of the casing 1, the frame 7 being inserted in the box 1 from below and held in position in any suitable manner as by means of screws 9 engaging upright brackets 10 projecting upwardly at the ends of the bottom 8. This'frame 7 is provided at its center with mirror supports 11, in which is mounted the projecting mirror 12 extending longitudinally of frame 7 and diagonally across the same from the upper rear to the lower front corner and suitably secured, the reflecting surface of the mirror being turned upwardly and forwardly, i; e., toward the observer in Figures 1 and 4. In front of the mirror is a transparent glass plate 14 which in the assembled position of the apparatus, is exposed by and through a corresponding opening 15 in the box 1. Above the mirror also supported in frame 7 is a transparent glass plate 16 and the frame 7 carries on its upper surface or top plate 17 at each end a roller 18, 18', on which is wound a flexible color screen 19 of varying colors,the flexible screen 19 extending from one roller 18 to the other roller18 and being rolled from one roller to the-other in any suitable manner'as by means of key cranks 20, inserted through suitable'openings 21 in the casing 1. In this connection it will'be noted that the parts supported by frame 7 form a box 30 enclosing the mirror 12.-

The construction also comprises and includes as a most important element, a light transmitting belt or screen 24 for the movable sign which may, if desired, be in the form of a moving picture film, produced photographically, or the screen or film may be produced stencilwise of opaque material IUD cut away to pass the light as to certain predetermined areas corresponding to the letters and figures to be produced. A short fragment of the projecting belt 24 which may be produced in any of these ways is illustrated in Figure 6, the letters being indicated by reference character 25. The belt or film 24 is carried by rollers 26 and 27, at each end of the frame 7 the same having suitable journals 28 mounted in brackets 29 at one end and in the projecting sides of the box 30 at the other end so that the film or projecting belt 24, as best seen in Figure 2, passes in one direction along the top of the box 30 immediately beneath the glass 16 and above the mirror and in the opposite direction along the bottom of the box beneath the mirror 12. In the form of'the invention shown the roller 27 and hence the rojecting belt 24 is driven by means of an e ectric motor 300 carrying small pulley 31 on its main shaft, which pulley by means of a belt 32 drives a large pulley 33 secured to the end of the roller 27. In this way the projecting belt 24 is driven at a comparatively slow speed so that the sign can be easily read as the letters, characters and figures are produced in the manner to be described. The main casing 1, as shown, is provided with journals 34 which in the assembled condition of the apparatus project through corresponding bearings or holes 35 in upright brackets 36 mounted at the ends of a suitable base 37 and suitably spaced thereon, the brackets being comparatively thin so that they may be sprung to admit the journals. The brackets 36 are also shown as slotted arcuately at 36 concentrically with the bearing holes 35, the main box 1 being provided with screws 39 aligned with said slots 36 and the sign box 1 is held in adjusted position by means of thumb nuts 40 engaging said screws27 and'said slots 38. Referring particularly to Figure 2, it will be noted that in operation the fixed sign 3 is directly illuminated by the bulbs 2, the rays of light from said bulbs passing out through the permeable portions 4 of the plate 3, producing the illuminated stationary letters and/or figures which compose the sign. The moving sign also is produced by the light from the bulbs 2 preferably diffused by the glass 16 which may be ground roughon one or both surfaces to prevent the transmission of a distinct image of the filament 42 of the bulbs 2 and of said bulbs.

The rays which produce the moving sign pass downwardly from the bulbs 2 or filaments 42 through the color screen 19 if such a screen is used and through the glass 16 and through the projecting belt 24, which may be like a photographic film or a stencil. Part of the light is cut off by opaque portions of the film or screen. The remainder of light rays pass through the permeable or open portions of the belt 24, and downward into contact with the mirror 12 which is supported at an angle of substantially 45 degrees with the vertical, or at any suitable angle to project the rays in the desired direction. The rays from the bulbs which have passed through the projecting belt 24 are thus projected forward through. the glass 14 producing on the glass 14 which is preferably ground or fluted, whatever letters or figures may be formed in transparent or permeable areas or outlines upon the belt 24, the motion imparted to the belt by the motor 300 causes the different portions of the belt to be produced successivel on the glass 14 in a well known manner giving the effect of a moving sign.

If a colored effect .is desired, the color scheme 19 is employed, the desired color being produced by turning keys 20 bringing the screen to a position in which a portion of the screen of the desired color is exposed at the top of the box 11. The color screen is held in the desired position by means of iprmgs 19 bearing on the rollers 18 and/or In order to efi'ectan desired change of arrangement the lower rame 7" witht-he casing 11 may be instantaneously removed and likewise replaced after the desired change has been made.

I have thus described specifically and in detail an illuminated sign embodying the features of my invention 1n the preferred form in order that the nature and manner of constructing, operating and using the same may be fully understood, however, the specific terms herein are used descriptively rather than in a limiting sense, the scope of v the invention being defined in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination in an illuminated sign of an enclosure having a source of illumination therein, a fixed sign in front of the source of light,the fixed sign having opaque portions and light transmitting portions whereby the subject matter of the sign is outlined, an inclined mirror and a belt intervening between the source of light and the mirror, said belt having opaque portions and light transmitting portions, the latter being in the form of a sign whereby the latter sign is projected on the mirror, the enclosure having a winthe subject matter of the sign is outlined, an inclined mirror and a belt intervening between the source of light and the mirror, said belt having opaque portions and light transmitting portions, the latter outlining a sign whereby the subject matter to be displayed is projected on the mirror, the enclosure having a window at the front which permits the mirror to roject the said subject matter forwardly fi'om said enclosure whereby it is suitably displayed, means for moving the belt to vary the subject matter projected on the mirror, and a movable color screen intersecting the path of the light between the source and the mirror.

3. An illuminated sign construction comprisng an opaque enclosure with a lighting source therein near the top of the enclosure, the enclosure also having a light transmitting stationary sign in front of the light source, and a window below said sign and in the front of the enclosure, an inclined mirror immediately in the rear of said window and a belt between the light source and the mirror, and means for moving the belt which is part opaque but includes light transmitting portions comprising the subject matter of a movable sign, the light from the source being projected through the light transmitting portions of the belt upon the mirror and by the mirror forwardly through the window.

4. A sign having an opaque enclosure with a source of light supported therein near the top, a light transmitting sign in front of the enclosure opposite the light source, a window in the front of the enclosure below the light source, and a removable frame to be inserted in the enclosure below the light source and back of the window, said frame carrying an inclined mirror, a light transmitting sign belt above and below the mirror and means for supporting and operating the belt.

5. A sign having an opaque enclosure with a source of light supported therein near the top, a window in the front of the enclosure below the light source, and a removable frame to be inserted in the enclosure below i the light source and back of the window, said frame carrying an inclined mirror, a light transmitting sign belt above and below the mirror and means for supporting and operating the belt. 7

6. A sign having an opaque enclosure with a source of light supported therein near the top, a light transmitting sign in front of the enclosure opposite the light source, a window in the front of the enclosure below the light source, and aremovable frame to be inserted in the enclosure below the light source and back of the window, said frame carrying an inclined mirror, a light transmitting sign belt above'and below the mirror and means for supporting and operating the belt, and a color screen also above the mirror.

7. A sign having an opaque enclosure with 

